Automatic door for mail boxes



Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,967

w. L. COBB AUTOMATIC DOOR FOR MAIL BOXES Filed May 13, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR YAT'TOR N'em Nov. 6, 1 928.

- W. L. COBB AUTOMATIC DOOR FOR MAIL BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May13, 192'? INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITEDSTATES WINFRED L. COBB, OF JEFFERSON, ()RZEIGOIQ'.

AUTOMATIC noon non MAIL Boxes.

Application filed May 13, 1927. Serial No 191,159.

This invention relates to receptacles especially designed forholdingmail, an object being to provide a novel form of receptacleclosure which will be normally closed, and may be readilyopened for theinsertion or removal of mail matter.

Another objectof the invention is the provision of means to facilitatethe insertion of mail matter in the box whenthe latter is in j whichprojects beyond the edge of the recepopen position so as to conserve'thecarriers time, the means employed also providing a finger piece or gripfor use in opening the receptacle.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to

be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and pointed out in the appended claims. In the drawings Figure1 is a fragmentary elevation of the.

invention showing the receptacle closed; Figure 2 is a plan view of thesame. Figure 3 is an end view. Figure 4 is an end view with thereceptacle open. 7

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the rein like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10indicates a receptacle which is shown as of cir-' cular cross section,although receptacles of other types may be employed. This receptacle isopen at one end for the insertion and removal of mail matter and may besupported by any suitable means. the receptacle being provided with abracket 11 for attachmct to a suitable standard or support.

The receptacle closure is in the form of a plate or door 12 which hassecured to one side of its center a strap 13. This strap extends abovethe upper edge of the door 12 and is bent upon itself as shown at 14forengagement overthe upper end of a post 15 The post 15 extendsupwardly from the receptacle 10 and the strap 13 is secured thereto bymeans of a pivot pin 16. The door is thus hingedly secured to thereceptacle for lateral swinging movement and is moved to closed positionby its own weight. One edge of the door is provided with a flange 1-7whichis shaped to fit the edge of the receptacle and 6 provides a stopto-limit movement of the door in the direction of closing. The door isprovided with an extension 18 tacle when the door is closed and thisproject- 1 ingportion isprovided with a curved marginal flange 19' whichextends at right anglesto the face of the door. tively wide and itscurvature conforms to the curvature of the cross section of thereceptacle 10. The flange 19 thus provides a finger The flange isrelapiece or grip for use in swinging the door to an open position andwhen in an open position, this flange provides a guide to facilitate theinsertion of newspapers and other mail matter into the receptacle.Opening movement of the door is limited by the engagement of the portion14 of the strap 13 with a shoulder 2() provided'on the post 15. 1

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims. 7

Having described the invention what is claimed is .1. In combinationwith areceptacle having an opening, at one end a disk-like closure forsaid receptacle, a flange at one marginal edge of the'closure, means tohingedly support the disk-like closure for swinging movement across theopening to open and close the receptacle and to permit the flange to bebrought into position to provide a guide at the receptacle opening and astop to locate the flange in guiding position when the receptacle isopen.

2. In combination with a receptacle havforsaid opening, a. flange at onemarginal. edge of the closure, means to hingedly support the disk-likeclosure for lateral swinging movement across the opening to open andclose the receptacle andto permit the flange to be brought into positionto provide a guide at the receptacle opening andastop to locate mg anopening at one end, a disk-like closure the flange in guiding positionwhen the recep tacle is open.

3. In combination ing an opening at one end, a disk-like closure with areceptacle hav for said opening, a flange extending outward- 1y at rightangles from one marginal edge of the closure, means to hingedly supportthe disk-like closure for swingingmovement across the opening to openand close the receptacle and to permit the flange to he brought intoposition to provide a guide at the receptacle opening and a stop tolocate the flange in guiding position when the receptacle isopen.

4. In combination with a'receptacle' having an opening, a closure forsaid opening, a post extending fromthe receptacle, a strap extending"from one side of the center of the closure and pivotally secured to thepost to provide a gravity operated hinge for said closure, a combinedoperating and guide flange-for the closure, means to limit closingmovement of said closure and means to limit movement of the closure inan opposite direction. 1

5Q In combination with a receptacle having an opening, a closure forsaid opening, a post extending from the receptacle, a strap extendingfrom one side of the center of the closure and pivotally secured to thepost to provide a gravity operated hinge for said closure, a combinedoperating and guide flange for the closure, means to limit closingmovement of saidclosureand means included in the closurehinge to limitpivotal'movement of said closure in an opposite direction.

Intestimonywhereof I afiixmv signature.

WINFRED noose.

